Haiti in Transition

Life in the Neighborhood

Unity and participation are essential components of success for any community development project.

When we started painting the tables, we noticed that the residents were still standing by, so we invited them to join us. Their response to the invitation was an estatic “Sa ta fe’m telman kontan (“that would make me so happy” in Creole).

We all worked as ONE: Haitian youth in Haiti and Haitian youth from the Diaspora, community leaders and neighborhood residents, school kids and parents, construction workers and artists - all working as one! This was a real life illustration of our country’s mantra: “L’union fait la force” (Strength in Unity).

Everyone had an opportunity to mix colors and paint, while others helped us get snacks and water for all those involved.

The “Boss” or handyman in the neighborhood played an instrumental role in helping us complete the tables. We didn’t know how we would cut the plywood for the table-top, especially since it’s in a circular shape. He stepped to the plate, took charge, measured and drew out the cutting area, and took a few of the youth with him to his “lakou” (yard), to cut the board.

A few other handymen taught us how to properly hammer a nail. All of us developed a deeper appreciation for construction work; a field that requires precision and perseverance.

We painted and got our fingers and knees dirty. It was a blast! Everyone wanted to sit on the tables and “try them out”. Some said that this would be their new homework spot, especially since the gathering spot had a solar light post. Others said they would have lunch there because the tables would make it enjoyable.

What really made us smile was meeting the youngest neighborhood leader. This little boy, intrigued by the tables and boisterous activities, slowly approached the working space. His presence commanded our attention. He projected the traits of a natural leader.

He then climbed on one of the tires, sat down and looked around. He investigated our work, tapping the tires and tabletop like a quality control manager. Everyone laughed.

Patterns, shapes, color contrasts, imagination and hearty laughter were the perfect formula for a successful community development project.

Reconnecting with the Youth

Before we got started, we met with the kids at the Art Creation Foundation for Children (ACFFC), and exchanged on the latest updates in their lives. They told us about their grades, their art, their families, and their friends. We asked them about their goals for 2013, and many of them expressed a desire to do better in school and find jobs.

The center was filled with laughter and joy; a joy that resonated well with all the vibrant paintings and papier mâché masks  that laid against the walls and tables. 

We talked about their neighborhood’s progress, and the completion of their mosaic mural at the gathering space thanks to the help of ACFFC. We were excited to go see their progress, and to help them in putting the final touches: the installation of eco-friendly tables and chairs for them to have a place to sit, play chess, do homework, or simply hang out.

We all got in the back of the pick up truck, and drove off to the neighborhood. On our way there, we spotted Gary, the gifted artist and architect who created the tables, and he followed us to the neighborhood gathering spot. 

It’s always exciting to sit in the back of a pick up truck! We allowed ourselves to be swayed by the cool breeze as we waved our hands to passerbyers like kings and queens in a chariot.

When we got to the gathering spot, Gary helped us decide where to set up the tables.

Residents and passerbyers gathered to observe, as very few had ever seen such tables. We picked up on a few comments including: “What a simple yet creative idea, tire tables should be everywhere in Haiti!” and “We should have tables like these at the beach here in Jacmel, it would be a great creative way to attract tourists!” It was clear the residents welcomed the tire tables!

Gary and his assistant gave us a briefing on the tables: what materials were used, how they were constructed, how to preserve them, and the best techniques to paint them.

We then mixed our colors, raised our paintbrushes, and got to work…..

CONNECTING WITH GARY

When we partnered with multi-talented architect and artist Gary- Pierre Charles, we knew that his eco-friendly approach to art would add flair to the youth’s final project, while reinforcing the importance of protecting and preserving their environment.

One aspect of Gary’s work involves converting “trashed” or used tires into functional art. His creative movement of breathing new life into old tires is helping to clean up Haiti’s streets and atmosphere, since his approach reduces the number of tires being burned in the streets. His work also prevents land erosion which Haiti greatly suffers from due to deforestation. Gary’s GAME CHANGING eco-innovations are a cost effective and artistic way to preserve communities and improve livelihoods.

Gary’s place is a Must See for those travelling to Port-au-Prince! Upon entering the gates of his home ‘atelier’, you’ll be transported into another world… an eco-paradise where colorful birds, swings, tables, chairs and eco-houses abound. We can truly say that we experienced the old adage “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure”.

We were able to recruit Gary’s help to create eco-friendly tables with chairs for the youth gathering spot, so that they may have a place to continue playing and teaching chess in their neighborhood.

Gary met us in Jacmel on Saturday January 5th… and we immediately got to work…